A portacaval shunt (or portal caval shunt) is a treatment for
portal hypertension. A connection is made between the
portal vein, which supplies 75% of the liver's blood, and the
inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of th ...
, the vein that drains blood from the lower two-thirds of the body. The most common causes of liver disease resulting in
portal hypertension are Budd–Chiari Syndrome or Cirrhosis. Budd–Chiari should not be mistaken for Cirrhosis.
Less common causes include diseases such as
hemochromatosis
Iron overload or hemochromatosis (also spelled ''haemochromatosis'' in British English) indicates increased total accumulation of iron in the body from any cause and resulting organ damage. The most important causes are hereditary haemochromatos ...
,
primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and
portal vein thrombosis
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a vascular disease of the liver that occurs when a blood clot occurs in the hepatic portal vein, which can lead to increased pressure in the portal vein system and reduced blood supply to the liver. The mortality ...
.
Cirrhotic patients often develop
hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an altered level of consciousness as a result of liver failure. Its onset may be gradual or sudden. Other symptoms may include movement problems, changes in mood, or changes in personality. In the advanced stage ...
(HE) following the procedure,
sometimes resulting in coma.
The high risk of developing HE may be a consequence of increased intestinal absorption of encephalopathogenic substances in combination with the reduced hepatic blood flow.
See also
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Shunt (medical)
In medicine, a shunt is a hole or a small passage that moves, or allows movement of, fluid from one part of the body to another. The term may describe either congenital or acquired shunts; acquired shunts (sometimes referred to as iatrogenic ...
*
Portacaval anastomosis
A portocaval anastomosis or porto-systemic anastomosis is a specific type of anastomosis that occurs between the veins of the portal circulation and those of the systemic circulation. When there is a blockage of the portal system, portocaval anast ...
References
External links
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